Tag Archives: McLeod Brothers

WAIHEKE CLASSIC WOODY BOATS

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WAIHEKE CLASSIC WOODY BOATS

These days it seems that when it comes to classic wooden boat locations, the ‘new black’ is the Bay of Islands. 

So I’m very happy to report that two woodys have found new owners / homes at Waiheke Island, Auckland.

Recently we helped find a new owner for the 28’ John Brooke designed, Walter Deeming built launch –  SEAFARER  and she is now moored at the island. Photos above of the delivery voyage, the bacon and egg pie is a masterpiece, made by the new owner’s father. More photos of the launch here https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/04/09/classic-wooden-launch-seafarer-a-peek-down-below-4sale/

Also the 38’ RAIRA (photo above) built in 1918 by McLeod Bros. Devonport, has a new owner and will be remaining at the island. More photos here https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/04/29/raira-a-peek-down-below-4sale/

RAIRA – A Peek Down Below – SOLD

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RAIRA – A Peek Down Below – SOLD

Todays classic wooden launch is the 1915 38’ McLeod Brothers Devonport built launch – RAIRA. RAIRA was built to a Collings & Bell design and like most woodys has had a few enhancements (good & bad) over the last 110 years. As she floats today RAIRA is a very handsome craft, but she has a big secret – her interior. Step below deck and you’ll be wowed by her fit out, as seen in the above gallery of photos.

Forward motion is via a Ford Lees 6cyl. 120hp diesel engine that was rebuilt in 2011. At the same time work included replacement of ribs, keel bolts, bulkheads, decks and full refastening and caulking.
Her systems and electrics are as expected for a vessel capable of extended coastal cruising + she sports a diesel cabin heater, so there’s the opportunity for RAIRA to be very comfortable live aboard.

If you haven’t clicked yet – yes RAIRA is for sale and at an asking price of $30k she is very good value for money and her next owner will get a very affordable entry to the classic wooden boating movement.  The asking price is a sad reflection of the boating (wood/glass) market at present. Believe me it will never be cheaper to by your dream boat.

Interested buyers initially to contact owner – Thomas via email at  gosi120@hotmail.com

(note: game poles in top photo, now removed)

CLASSIC LAUNCH MOANAROA GETS A BIRTHDAY

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CLASSIC LAUNCH MOANAROA GETS A BIRTHDAY

During the week we were contacted by Rob Griffin regarding his classic wooden launch – MOANAROA. She previously appeared on WW back in Sept 2021, link below to that story. Rob advised they have just completed some maintenance work – I’ll hand over to Rob to tell the story –  
“Work included sand and repaint, a bit of re-caulking, Primocon and anti-foul, new engine mounts, servicing and retiming diesel injector pump and injectors, plus lots of other sundry items. Moanaroa was designed by Jack Taylor and built in Taupo by McLeod Brothers in 1949. She is carvel Totora planked construction, there has not been glassed. Powered by a 90hp Fordson Major diesel, 34.5ft long and these days calls Waiheke Island home.”

WW Sept 2021 https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/09/22/moanaroa/

INPUT ex PAUL DRAKE – MOANAROA ( more correctly MOANA ROA) was launched at Lake Taupo at the end of December 1949, on the day the Lake Hotel was destroyed by fire. Her ribs are spotted gum and everything else is heart totora, milled at Oruanui (near Taupo). Her build took two years, at the Tamamutu Street home of Don McLeod. She operated commercially for many years, skippered by Don McLeod’s father – known locally as Braces McLeod because he always wore braces in lieu of a belt.

In 1978 the Pointon family got hold of MOANA ROA in a very run down condition. Over a period of a few years they built a new wheelhouse with door and raised a forward cabin, which vastly improved her use-ability. She is a very lucky boat, having had loving owners for a long time. It is very heartening to see that her newish owners are continuing to love her

CLICK IMAGE FOR DETAILS

CLASSIC LAUNCH RAIRA – BEFORE THE WOOD BUTCHERS GOT HOLD OF HER 

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CLASSIC LAUNCH RAIRA – BEFORE THE WOOD BUTCHERS GOT HOLD OF HER 

The top photo is the 1915 launch – RAIRA, moored in the Waihou River, Te Aroha.  RAIRA was built by the McLeod brothers, Ted and Ray + J. Verran at Bayswater,  Auckland.  – to a  Collings & Bell design.

The photo comes to us from the Auckland Library Heritage Collection – McLeod collection via a Nathan Herbert link.

The 2nd photo is from late 2015. Location is Woolshed Bay, Coromandel.

Last heard she was calling Waiheke Island home.

RSVP waitematawoodys@gmail.com

RAIRA – A Peek Down Below

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RAIRA – A Peek Down Below

Raira was launched in Devonport in February 1915. Built by the McLeod Brothers to a Collings and Bell design.  She has appeared on ww before but now thanks to her trademe listing we get to have a look inside 🙂
The great looking interior is the result of a full restoration completed in 2011. This included: new steamed ribs with copper fastenings, new bulkheads, new keel fastenings, all paint removed back to timber and her hull re-caulked + just about everything else on board was replaced or upgraded.

In late 2016 Raira was repowered with a 120hp Ford on an zero hour rebuild, that pushes her along at between 7.5>9 knots. At  the same time she was treated to exterior paint job.

Woody Ian McDonald commented that when he used to slip his boats at Omokoroa in the early 1980’s, Raira was on a swing mooring there & unless mistaken, the game poles are just as they were back then.

She is a pretty boat, but I’m not sure about the ‘poop’ deck 🙂

ps sorry about yesterdays story & the link not working, technology let me down 😦

Raira

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RaIra

photo ex Brian Fulton

Brian took the above photo in Woolshed Bay, Coromandel over the 2015 Xmas / New Year period. She is called Raira & is based at Panmure.

Interested to learn more about her.

Harold Kidd Update

RAIRA was designed by Charles Collings but built by her first owners, the McLeod brothers, Ted and Ray, and J. Verran, at Bayswater and launched in February 1915. She was 38′ x 38′ x 9′ x 3′ and was originally fitted with a 3 cylinder 30hp heavy duty Twigg, built in Auckland. She usually cruised with AUMOE after Alex Foster (of Fosters) bought her in 1919/20. The bridgedeckerisation was done by W.G. Lowe & Son in 1937 when owned by N.J. Campbell.
Her lines were published in the N.Z. Yachtsman magazine in 1914.

Photo below ex Jason Prew (Wairiki) of Raira crossing the Firth of Thames on the 27-12-2015

08-01-2016 Input from Jonathon Aston

Raira has been our family launch for the last 13 years and have many great memories. In 2009 we put Raira onto a large shed and over the next 3 years completely re-ribbed, refastened & re-corked her hull with thousands of copper nails & roves just like the McLeod brothers did when building her all those years ago as well as replacing all her keel bolts with new silicon bronze bolts. The stern deck was added in the 70’s & the bridge was added in 1982 by a local boatbuilder while based in Tauranga. She was brought back to Auckland in the early 90’s & has been based at the Panmure  Yacht & Boating club since.

Original lines & recent photos ex Jonathon Aston